Zoo Society Billable 1 - Zoo Guest Services - TE

City of Abilene; Abilene (TX); On-site; USD 19,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Abilene is seeking a Guest Services Representative for the Abilene Zoo. Under supervision, you will perform a wide range of customer service duties, sales, and support functions in Guest Services and provide administrative assistance to Managers.

You will direct visitor traffic and ensure a positive guest experience. The role involves handling payments, reservations, and paperwork, plus operating equipment as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience in customer service or guest services preferred.
• Basic math skills including addition, subtraction, and percentages.
• Ability to operate computer and office equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and provide excellent service to guests.

Responsibilities

• Greet and direct visitors to the Abilene Zoo and answer general questions.
• Provide administrative support for Guest Service Managers and Assistants.
• Answer guest inquiries, give directions, and provide information on zoo functions and activities.
• Process calls, handle payments, reservations, and visitation paperwork.
• Maintain equipment and spaces, conduct inventory and clean as required.
• Assist with guest surveys and other reports.

Skills

Customer service

Cash handling

Communication

Time management

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Computer skills

Job description

09/01/2026 TR

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, to perform a wide range of customer service duties, sales, and support functions in Guest Services at the Abilene Zoo. Provides administrative support to the Guest Service Managers and Assistant Managers. Also, appropriately directs Zoo visitor traffic.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position does not exercise supervisory duties.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Greets and directs visitors to the Abilene Zoo and answers general questions.
• Provides administrative support for the Guest Service Managers and Assistant Managers.
• Assists with general customer service functions, including answering guest inquiries, giving directions, and providing information on zoo functions and activities.
• Processes incoming and outgoing calls, registers payments, reservation, and visitation paperwork, equipment operation, and food preparation.
• Maintain, inspect, clean, take inventory, and follow policies and procedures of assigned equipment, areas, and surrounding spaces.
• Assist with guest surveys and other reports.
• Guest Services employees over 18 years of age may operate a City vehicle and/or motorized equipment (trains, ATVs, and golf carts).
• May assist with other Guest Services operations.

OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES

Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Administrative and office management principles, procedures, and practices.
• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and percentages.
• The safe operation of equipment/vehicles.

Skill to:

• Operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Manage time effectively.
• Provide excellent customer service and communicate clearly.
• Efficiently and accurately manage cash handling functions.
• Interact with zoo guests professionally and courteously.

Ability to:

• Maintain confidentiality of client information.
• Work independently.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude and initiative.
• Organize and plan work activities to meet deadlines.
• Use resourcefulness and tact when dealing with upset customers.
• Accommodate changing work priorities.
• Follow and enforce the Abilene Zoo rules, policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
• Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
• Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.

Experience and Training Guidelines

For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:

Experience:

This is an entry-level position, but preference may be given to individuals with previous customer service experience.

Education/Training:

A high school diploma, GED, or in the process of obtaining either is required.

License or Certificate:

• Train Operation requires staff members to be at least 18 years old and hold a valid driver’s license, a military waiver, or the ability to obtain a license within ninety (90) days.
• A Food Handler's Permit will be required if preparing food.

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:

Bloodborne Pathogens and HazCom training are required within 60 days of employment.

Requires staff members to be at least 16 years of age.

Must be able to work a flexible work schedule that may include nights, holidays,

and weekends.

Must be able to work in outdoor conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:

___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds

___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds

_ X _ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds

___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds

___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds

Physical Demand Codes:

The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:

Codes for how often:

N = No

E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)

M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)

I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)

A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)

• E Standing
• A Sitting
• M Walking
• M Lifting
• M Carrying
• I Pushing/Pulling
• I Overhead Work
• I Fine Dexterity
• I Kneeling
• I Crouching
• A Crawling
• I BendingI Twisting
• A Climbing
• A Balancing
• E Vision
• E Hearing
• E Talking